Cord line chalker



Nov. 24, 1953 c. SCUDDER CORD LINE CHALKER Filed June 4, 1952 INVENTOR.CHARLES SCUDDER My/50W Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES i PATENTOFFICE CORD LINE CHALKER Charles Scudder, Bayside N. Y;

Application J one 4, 1952, serial No. 291,615

(Cl. st w-87);

11 Claims 1 This invention is concerned with new and use.-- ful'improvements in card line chalkers- It is particularly concerned with acordline chalking device of a simple and practical nature employingpowdered chalk as the chalking medium.

As we well know, chalked cord lines are used in various trades,particularly the construction trades. They are used. primarily toquickly form lengthy lines of a temporary nature. Such lines serve asguides for excavations, painting of stripes, laying of walks and variousother purposes. In most cases it is desired that the guide line be sharpand without fuzz to serve as an accurate guide, and that it further besolid so as to be clearly visible and of reasonable durability. It hasbeen customary to chalk a cord line by drawing it over a cake of hardchalk or through powdered chalk. In the first case where hard chalk isused, the cord line is not thoroughly coated and the line produced by itis not full. and is spotty with light, dark and vacant sections. In thecase where powdered chalk is used by customary methods tochalk the line,the line pros duced is splotchy, not very durable, and servesas a poorguide for accurate work.

The use of powdered chalk for cord. line chalk ing is preferable to hardchalk, as there is less waste, the hard chalk being quickly cut to.small and useless pieces. On: the other hand the use of powdered chalkhas other disadvantages in. that the chalk spills from its container,and for this reason: it cannot. be carried about in the pocket. Often inthe chalking process it coats not only the cord line but the user aswell.

Now, I have invented acord line chalking de vice which employs powderedchalk and yet, does not have the disadvantages commonly associated withpowdered chalk. It is. capable of producing a chalked. cord line of anylength, quickly and of a nature that has all the qualities desired" in achalked line. My invention can be carried in the pocket without spillingits contents; it can' be used without coating the user; it produces,when snapped in customary manner, a guide line that is clear; sharp andsolid throughout without fuzz, without splotches and with lastingeffect.

The article of my invention comprises a con. tainer of small and compactsize in which there is well confined a supply of powdered chalk.-Within, the container includes a rotary member that is freely rotatablewhen a cord line is. drawn over it and through the container. The rotarymember serves to stir up the chalk, and as the lineisdrawn over it thechalk is forced into the strands of the cord and over its surface.'l'i'he de- 2; vice further includes wiping means which serves to wipeonly the tuzz: from. the outer surface of the cord. The cord that issuesfrom the container is well charged with chalk. and its surface is. freeof tu'zzy particles.

The general object oi the invention is. a prac-- tical and compact cordline chalking device that can be handled and carried about without spilling its contents, andwhichcan. produce a thor= oughly chalked cord linefree of tum,

A further object of the invention is a cord line chalker utilizingpcwdered chalk, which will enable quick chalking of a continuous linewhich, when snapped, w produce a sharp,-. well defined line impressionthat is both: solid and long lasting.

The foregoing obiects and advantages of this inventionas: well asothers; will. become; readily apparent as this s ecification unfolds in.greater detail, and as it is read in: con; notion: with. theaccompanying" drawings wherein a specific em-- bodinieiit ct the:inventionv is illustrated.

n the drawings:

Fig; r is a perspective view of the invention that also: indicates the:manner of using it;

Fig. 2 is a diametricalcross section through the device;

gig.- 3 is a" plan view at the rotary member;v an a Fig; 4- is: a viewin perspective of one of. the complementary shells.

Referring to: the drawings for a. detailed. de scription of theinvention, there is disclosed a container" generally designated 13-adapted to hold therein a supply of powdered chalk 2, and com prisinga.- pair of complementary shells. 3",. 4', engag'ed; one to the other bya threaded post 51 of oneshell threaded into an internally threadedshaftor cylindricat member 6* of the other shell Both shells except for themembers 5- and e are of identicalstructure:

Each shell is hat like in appearance; havinga crown 9, a brim: id, and acircular well or recess H centrally of the shell. In: each brim there is7 an annular trough in whichcontained a flat: band i2 of soft material.as rubber.- when shell 3 is threaded by' its post 5 iii-to the shaft 6of the other, both shells are drawn together complementing one another;The complementary shellsform a hollow space or chamber it. within thecontainer adapted to hold the: powdered chalk supply.- The: bands of:each. shell contact one another when the shells are drawrr together, asin Fig. 2; thereby preventing the es---- cape of the chalk from the:container; Within the chamber l4 formed by the complementary shellsthere is adapted to rotate a wheel element l5 carried for rotatablemovement upon an axle formed by the combination of the shaft 5 and thepost 5. The circular member [5 is in the nature of a wheel or turbine,having a plurality of radial fins l6 which serve to stir the powderedchalk about the container as the wheel rotates, Each fin radiates from acentral disc portion ll, and as each fin extends toward thecircumference of the wheel, its shank as at IS gradually twists from aplane coplanar with the central disc portion to a plane at the extremityof the fin which is at right angles to the plane of the disc portion;that is, a plane which is parallel with the axis of the wheel element.Each fin is provided at its extremity with an extended broad footportion is having an arcuate surface which is concentric with the axisof the turbine or wheel element l5, as in Fig. 3.

The turbine member is adapted to be rotated by a cord line drawn betweenthe shells and over the peripheral surfaces of the several foot portionsof the fins. As the turbine wheel rotates the twisted shanks of the finsserve in the manner of a screw to pick up and distribute the powderedchalk about the chamber Hi and between the surfaces of the fin feet andthe opposite wall of the container so as to bring the chalk to the cordline.

It is to be noted that the shells are circular and that, when assembledtogether as in Fig. 1 a broad peripheral surface is formed by thecomplementary flanged or brim portions ill. There is also provided anannular shoulder 22 between the crown and brim portions of each shell,and that the outer wall of each crown is flat as at 23. The device inthis form has many advantages facilitating its use. When the device isbeing used, it is held in one hand and a cord line placed between theshells is drawn through it with the other hand to rotate the turbinemember. The broad peripheral surface of the complementary brims enablesthe device to be comfortably palmed, while the flat outer walls 23enable the device to be comfortably held between the ham of the thumband the fingers, while the annular shoulders 2? enable the device to beeasily gripped by the thumb and fingers, particularly when adjusting therelative positions of the shells to one another. This form of the deviceis designed to insure not only comfortable handling, but also a firm andeasy grip that will not permit the device to slip from the hand dur- 7ing the chalking operation.

The peripheral surfaces of the fin feet I9 are provided with a pluralityof scorings or lines as at 24 in Fig. 2. Because of these, the chalkstirred about by the rotary member [5 settles in the soorings and clingsto and covers the surfaces of the fins. Further, as a cord line issimultaneously pressed against the finfeet and drawn over them to rotatethe rotary member it also tends to grip the fins and rub through thepowdered chalk. In this way chalk is thoroughly forced into the strandsof the cord line.

It is also to be noted that the free end 25 of each fin foot extendsforward and slightly downward, and is spaced a little to the rear of thefin next adjoining, so as to form a triangular space 26 between eachfin. This space further serves in insuring a thoroughly chalked cordline. It can be seen that, as the device is palmed and the wheel memberrotated by drawing the cord over it, chalk is picked up by the fins andthrown about the container. It falls and accumulates in the spaces 26between the fins, it also accumulates between the space 21 separatingthe fins from the opposite wall of the container. This insures aquantity of chalk above, on and about the peripheral surface of thefins, so that the cord line is drawn through the chalk and is insured athorough coating on all sides. When the wheel is at rest the powderedchalk filters down through the spaces between the fins to settle in thecontainer as in Fig. 2.

It can readily be appreciated that, when the cord line is pressedagainst the fin feet and pulled over them and between the shells, chalkwill not only be rubbed well into the line, but it will also thoroughlycoat the surface of the cord. Further, as the line is drawn out frombetween the shells it lightly contacts the opposing rubber surfaces l2of the shells which wipe the fuzz from the line. It is desirable thatshells do not press tightly against one another, but that they beadjusted together only to that extent where the cord line may freelypass between them and only lightly contact the bands l2. This will allowonly the fuzz to be wiped from the cord line as it issues from theshells.

It can readily be seen now, that the chalked line that issues from thechalking device has all the qualities desired in a chalked line, andthat a line impression formed by snapping the cord will be clear withoutblotches or fuzz, sharp and solid; it will be clearly visible, anaccurate guide and long lasting.

Another feature of the invention which adds to its many advantages isthe position of the wheel member E5 in the container. The wheel iscentered on its shaft so that the mid-point of the peripheral surface ofthe fins is directly below the point of contact of the shells 3, i withone another. To insure this the wheel is pro vided with a hub 28 thatextends equally from opposite faces of the wheel. The ends of theextended hub portions bear against shoulders 2e at the bases of theaxial elements 5, S. The advantage of centering the wheel member in thismanner is to make certain that the cord line contacts the peripheralsurfaces of the fins at all times without danger of slipping off at thesides and becoming entangled in the fin blades. When the device is inuse the shells are preferably adjusted so that there is slight playbetween the hub extensions and the bearing shoulders 29 to prevent thewheel from binding.

In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the rubber strips l2 are raised slightlyabove the edges of the thin trough walls in which they are contained.This feature enables the shells to be drawn sufficiently together wherethe bands l2 press against one another, whereby the container iseffectively sealed against the escape of chalk. Further, when in use thebands not only serve the purpose of wiping the fuzz from the cord line,but also prevent chalk from spilling from the device.

While I have described what I consider to be a highly desirableembodiment of my invention, it is plain that some changes in form couldbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,and I therefore do not limit myself to the form herein shown anddescribed, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as hereinshown and set forth and as hereinafter claimed, and it is my intent toclaim all that may reasonably be within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A cord line chalking device comprising a circular container having achamber adapted to hold a supply of powdered chalk, the containerincluding a pair of opposed complementary circular shells, an adjustableaxial element joining the opposed shells together, the shells beingadjusted in relation to one another to permit a cord line to be freelydrawn between them, a rotary member carried within the chamber forrotatable movement on the axial member and including a plurality of finsadapted to distribute the powdered chalk about the chamber for contactwith the cord line during rotation, and peripheral extensions on thefins adapted for contact with the moving cord line whereby the rotarymember is adapted to be rotated.

2. A chalking device as in claim 1 wherein the fins include twistedshank blades and the peripheral extentions are parallel to the axialelement.

3. A chalking device as in claim 1 wherein the fins include twistedshank blades, periphereal extensions parallel to the axial element andextended free ends inclined at a slight angle down from the peripheralextended portion and toward the next adjacent fins, the slight angleafforded between the adjacent fins serving to catch and hold anaccumulation of powdered chalk as the rotary member is rotated throughthe chalk supply whereby chalking of the cord line is materially aided.

4. A chalking device as in claim 1, wherein the peripheral extensions ofthe fins include a plurality of scorings serving to catch and holdpowdered chalk as the rotary member is rotated and further serving toenable gripping of the fins by the moving cord line.

5. A cord line chalking device comprising a circular container having achamber adapted to hold a supply of powdered chalk, the containercomprising a pair of opposed complementary circular shells, an axialelement joining the opposed shells together, the shells being arrangedin close relation to one another sufficiently to permit a cord line tobe drawn between them, a rotary member carried within the chamber forrotatable movement on the axial element and including a plurality oftwisted fins adapted to distribute the chalk supply about the chamberfor contact with the cord line during rotation, extensions forming aperipheral surface at the ends of the fins adapted for contact with thecord line as it is drawn between the shells whereby the rotary member iscaused to be rotated.

6. A cord line chalking device of the character described having a pairof separable opposed similar circular shells axially adjustable inrelation to one another as to permit a cord line to be drawn betweenthem and having a chamber formed by the opposed shells, the chamberincluding a supply of powdered chalk, a rotary member adapted forperipheral contact with the cord line and for rotation within thechamber as the cord line is drawn between the shells, whereby suchrotation powdered chalk is stirred about by the rotary member forcontact with the cord line, and the shells each being provided with aflanged member having an annular trough containing a slightly extendedband of soft material in opposed relation to one another, wherebycontact is had with the opposed bands and the cord line when drawnbetween the shells.

7. In a chalking device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the shells areeach characterized by a fiat walled crown having a brim and a convexedannular shoulder between the crown and brim, whereby gripping of thedevice in the palm of the hand and with the thumb and forefinger thereofrespectively in the annular shoulder of each crown is facilitated.

8. In a chalking device as in claim 6, wherein the rotary member ischaracterized by a plurality of radial fins twisted in the manner of ascrew and having a peripheral surface adapted for contact with the cordline, whereby by such fins the chalk supply is readily picked up andcarried toward the ends of the fins.

9. In a chalking device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the rotarymember is characterized by a plurality of radial fins each having aperipheral surface parallel with the axis of the rotary member, a hubextending equally from each side of the rotary member whereby theperipheral fin surfaces are centered in the chamber between the shells.

10. In a chalking device as in claim 6, wherein the rotary member ischaracterized by a plurality of radial fins, each having a peripheralsurface parallel with the axis of the rotary member and a portionextending down and away from the peripheral surface toward the nextadjacent fin, whereby chalk stirred about by the rotary member whenrotated is adapted to collect in a pile to insure a supply of chalktoward the ends of the fins for contact with the cord line.

11. In a chalking device as in claim 6, wherein the rotary member ischaracterized by a plurality of radial fins each having a peripheralsurface parallel with the axis of the rotary member and a portionextending down and away from the peripheral surface toward the nextadjacent fin but in a slightly spaced relationship thereto, wherebychalk stirred about by the rotary member when rotated is adapted tocollect in a pile upon the extended portion to insure a supply of chalkto the peripheral surfaces of the fins for contact with the cord line,and whereby by such spaced relationship the chalk is adapted to filterdown from the extended portions.

CHARLES SCUDDER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 673,778 Merritt May 7, 1901 1,545,327 Hobson July '7, 1925FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 790,558 France Sept. 9, 1935

